"Agora was instrumental in my success in returning to the workplace. I could not have done it without this amazing team.” Mary Jane N.

About Us

Motivated by Gratitude and Compassion

Agora

The word Agora is Greek for ‘open place of assembly’ and, early in the history of Greece, the agora was the area in the city where free-born citizens could gather to hear civic announcements, muster for military campaigns or discuss politics.

At Agora Employment Essentials, the ‘gathering place’ we aspire to is:

A safe place to explore, grow and be challenged, where people are given respect and dignity

A place to build connections to the community

A place of transition into a better future

Our Charter of Service

RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP: accountability for the resources we’ve been entrusted withINTEGRITY: committed to speaking truthfullySERVANT LEADERSHIP: leading by serving and investing in others to help them reach their full potentialSOCIO-ECONOMIC JUSTICE: dedicated to education and advocacy for social and economic justice
We do this with a ‘you-first,’ or client-focused perspective—it’s the core of who we are.

History

We first started as the Employment & Community Development department of the Mennonite Central Committee BC (MCC BC) in 1990. Agora Employment Essentials was founded as a social enterprise in 2012 and became a division of MCC Community Enterprises Inc. as of 2016.

Currently

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn to see what we’re doing right now!

What we do for you

We walk alongside you in the process of finding career ‘fit’, and help you develop the skills to find and keep that job. We support you in gaining personal management skills to keep you moving forward. We challenge you to reach higher and farther and to take risks.

We work with refugees, indigenous peoples, youth who have barriers, women who have survived violence…anyone who is unemployed or under-employed. Whether you’re a professional or new to the workplace, we can help you develop new skills.

We are great networkers and we’ll connect you with resources and people on the way to achieving your career goals. We have built solid community partnerships that will benefit you.

Our youth programs include exposure to different kinds of jobs and work environments–from retail to hospitality to digital to film–and come with a good chunk of real work experience.

We also help employers find the right employee, and then offer on-the-job support. And we’re part of creating value-added companies that provide employment and impact our communities.

Q u i c k F a c t s

60 projects completed with budgets amounting to more than $45 million

33,000 people engaged through employment and/or community development projects

Partnerships that have included the provincial government of BC, the federal government of Canada, Vancouver Foundation, VanCity, community-based organizations and many, many local employers

Youth

Our Youth Get Jobs!

Abbotsford

Youth Keep Working is a 12-week paid training program that prepares you for the workplace, offering essential work skills training combined with practical hands-on experience. >>more >>

Richmond

Kaleidoscope is a 12-week paid training program providing youth with the skills they need to overcome barriers and find success in employment and education. >>more >>

Chilliwack

Catch 22 Solutions
“But I can’t get a job because I don’t have any experience!” Our 12-week paid training program is a great solution to that problem. Youth complete Catch 22 with a resume that reflects their new skills and experience, plus the confidence and know-how to find a job. >>more >>

Women

Take a Step

Bridging the Gapprovides a safe, caring environment for women who are survivors of abuse, offering holistic support on the way to entering or re-entering the
workforce. Our staff will walk alongside as you develop tools to gain independence, heal
from old wounds and grow healthy self-confidence.

Workshops offered include:

Setting Boundaries|Building Healthy Relationships | Problem-Solving

Effective Communication | Self-Esteem | Addiction Awareness

Understanding Anger & Conflict | Positive Attitudes & Behaviors

We’ll also introduce you to great resources to grow your support network:

We have been very pleased with the students Agora has placed with us--the program seems to encourage many of the work ethics I look for in my employees.She’s My Florist Shop

Youth Keep WorkingWith the help of the program I was able to find a job that fit me well.YKW Program Participant

We have hosted Youth Keep Working participants in the past for the work experience component of the program and will do so again.Ecoworks Landscape Services

Careers with Agora

Client-centered, Caring Professionals

We’re glad that you’re interested in working with Agora!

Our team is made up of caring, client-centered career development professionals. We believe in contributing to our communities and connecting our clients with resources that will lead to long-term growth and stability, both personally and professionally.

Current Openings:

We have no current openings at Agora, but check MCC Community Enterprises’ website for positions advertised in the food service / customer service sector: http://mccce.ca/about-mcc-ce/careers/